The National tribune., 1887-05-19
OUR RURAL TOPICS
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
agricultural Readers
ROLLING TEE GROUND FOR ONIONS


ROLLING TEE GROUND FOR ONIONS
In many cases the growers of onions are not
particular enough in the preparation of the
ground; it is manfred sufficiently and pulver-
lied thoroughly, SO thoroughly IS to be over
done. The onion does not demand great
depth of pulycrized soil in which to grow, and
if it is too deeply pulyerized and strongly ma
nured the tendency is for the crop to send up
too strong necks. We have marked the most
excellent success in growing this crop when
only about two inches Of the soil was pulver-
lied; it tends to hasten bottOming and early
maturity. So, where the soil is loosened to
considerable depth by blowing, very good
way is, after it is worked smooth, to go over IL
with good roller. Thisserves double purpose,
that of crushing all Jumps that may exist, and
at the same time frming the soil. In order
to insure a good seed bed, which is always es-
sential after rolling if there is any anticipated
danger regarding the proper insertion and COW
ering of the seed in the hardened surface, it
may be loosened little by the use of the rake
1t may be little easier removing the weeds
from a loose soil, but we have always noticed
that the young plants make but slow growth
in such soil until after il has become COM
pacted either by means Of being worked upon
or by falling rains.
We have seen the soil 50 loose that when
stirred the young plant could not support itself;
let this loose earth get dry aud heated and the
plants have little chance to grow, but let
smart shower beat down the earth about the
roots and they start as though having new
lease of life and continue on to maturity. The
different conditions of soil required by differ
ent crops is a matter that requires no little at
tention if the best results are expected.
GROWING TOMATOES.
The chief desire is to secure an early and
prolific crop of this desirable vegetable, and
regarding the mode of securing this end opin-
ions differ. Plants are started under glass and
| transplanted as soon as the temperature will
admit, but this does not always insure an early
crop; we have planted the seed in a warm soil,
aud secured the fruit from this plant as soon
as from those that had been started early and
transplanted. Cutting back is believed to have
| a favorable influence in fastening the matu-
rity of the fruit. Some continue the practice
| of heading back to the extent of clipping sew
| eral times From the London horticultural
| Times we learn that one English grower prac-
| tices an entirely different mode by which he
secures good success and that is by striking OF
all side or lateral shoots, training 10 one leader,
| ripening of tomatoes may be very much hast
| ened by training to trelis, SO that the sun
| may strike them and the hot cir circulate
| freely about them. The Horticultural Times
| speaks of a very remarkable growth from plants
set in boxes in quite poor, sandy soil, and which
| after a few lunches were set, was watered
about twice week with sewage water. No
doubt as a rule too rich soil is disadvantage TO
| the tomato crop. The tendency is TO growth
of vines at the expense of the fruit When
| planted or set in rather poor soil they send
up few stalks, and these develop early tomatoes
that are entirely satisfactory.
PEACH TREES.
A paragraph from an exchange says: Peach
| trees growing near the house, where dish and
wash-water arc thrown out, are lOng-lived, free
| from worms, disease, etc. hint can be had
| from this, showing that salt and alkal are what
| gives the result" A small grower that we knew
| of had an orchard close by the house that was
kept in a remarkably healthy and thrifty con-
| dition through the application OF ashes from
/ the fuel consumed. and the urine chamber
| slOps and wash-water for some time, but which
finally succumbed to the influence of disease.
| IL will be a happy day for the more northern
! States when some perfectly efectual remedy
| can be found for the disease of the peach.
FERTILIZING ORCHARDS.
Upon setting ont young orchard it is desir-
able TO secure 4 strong, vigorous growth of wood
and the full development of the tree. but n seri-
| Gus mistake is made in undertaking TO cause a
| too rapid development Of the trees. Where
too rapid growth is made the wood scarcely has
time for perfect patsrity, aud becomes more
susceptible and consequently more liable to
| disease. High manuring with stable manure is
| likely to induce n rapid aud unhealthy growth.
There is probably nothing better for manuring
an orchard than ashes and ground bone; and
these eau be used in moderate quantities with
satisfactory effects. If Others cannot be OBJ
tanned. muriate Of potash may be used TO supply
the needed potash. But bone and ashes are
lasting in their effects.
NOTES.
Do not forget to stir the cream; you will
get more butter.
Do not confne the breeding sows to clear
corn. Feed bran once day.
"A good deal Of time and labor is wasted by
planting several varieties of the same fruit or
vegetable when, for all practical purposes, one
or TWO would answer just we'll
The increasing number of eggs viii lead
TO larger demand on the part Of the hens for
shell-forming material. Keep the bone and
shell-mill going.
If the Strawberries have been heavily
mulched, some OF the mulch should be removed
aud placed between the rows. The sooner this